tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post2528359253824209780..comments2024-02-21T14:12:55.866-06:00Comments on coming home to myself: A Need to ControlDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-19779955992500037432017-05-01T13:07:09.529-05:002017-05-01T13:07:09.529-05:00Dear Kathy, I so appreciate your sharing your own ...Dear Kathy, I so appreciate your sharing your own concerns about publishing today. I've pretty well got my mind around self-publishing, but I can't seem to convince myself any longer to put in the time all this needs. I guess I really need to listen to my body, which is saying, "Rest, Nap, Sleep." And that's pretty much my day.<br /><br />I'm wishing you such success with your own publishing. And may we both be surprised by what the Universe offers us. Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-61313783546786531082017-04-30T16:03:49.108-05:002017-04-30T16:03:49.108-05:00Hi, Dee! It's so great to see you posting agai...Hi, Dee! It's so great to see you posting again and to hear and share your thoughts about your plans and frustrations. I so understand! You've had traditional publishing success in the past and, like me, you want more of it -- and have worked hard toward that end. But the desired outcome is elusive. Publishing has changed so profoundly in the last 20-25 years. For those of us who had our first successes in a kinder time, it's a rude shock. Although I'm still publishing traditionally, I'm finding that the advances are a mere fraction of what they used to be and the expectations and demands far greater. And you can work incredibly hard, get published and then Amazon screws up your listing and the sales figures are low and the the advance is even lower. In the meantime, self-publishing is really coming into its own. You're envisioning a self-published memoir at the perfect time! I think you're so wise to take a deep breath and let go of old expectations while keeping your heart and mind open to the new possibilities. However and whenever you publish, Dee, be it on your blog, a self-published or a traditionally published book, you have an audience of readers who think you're the best!<br />Dr. Kathy McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02903015507894951725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-43175054157970938172017-04-29T14:12:38.706-05:002017-04-29T14:12:38.706-05:00Dear Debra, it's hard to let go of the outcome...Dear Debra, it's hard to let go of the outcomes I envision. And also to be patient with myself as my body and mind and soul heal. The doctor has said that back operations leave a person imbalanced in many ways for several months. So I need to simply let go and rest and be at peace. I need to go to that deep center of myself where Oneness dwells. But I forget to do that. And so with that, too, I need to be patient. Thank you for your concerned words. Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-52035881767391716422017-04-29T14:09:58.888-05:002017-04-29T14:09:58.888-05:00Dear Lori, I so love your image of lifting up my o...Dear Lori, I so love your image of lifting up my oars and letting the boat drift awhile. Thank you. My friends and family are encouraging me to listen to my body and to rest so as to recuperate. The doctor has said it will take about six months. It's been almost 7 weeks and I'm not a patient person when it comes to my own life. But I will keep that image of me in a boat with lifted oars. I'll just float down the stream, enjoying the willows and the ducks! Thank you. Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-18896855755160710052017-04-29T00:26:37.245-05:002017-04-29T00:26:37.245-05:00Your honesty is an encouragement to me, Dee. It...Your honesty is an encouragement to me, Dee. It's hard to release our dreams and even if we say we believe in a benevolent universe, it takes great faith to open to the idea that maybe we can't work our way to accomplishment. I hope you will keep posting and perhaps sharing your soul searching will help you in your own journey, and I'm sure we will learn from you, also. It is so good to find you here!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-62854230507890484732017-04-27T12:37:11.546-05:002017-04-27T12:37:11.546-05:00So nice to see a post! It sounds like you are real...So nice to see a post! It sounds like you are really working to improve your back situation and I hope it is helping. There is planning and there is flowing. Sometimes it is good to lift up your oars and let the boat drift for awhile. Thanks for visiting my journal, and yes....I have always had dogs. Little Wonder (you have not seen until now) is just a pup and Phoebe is a teenager.Lori Skooghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03458010787337492501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-30099162867712612452017-04-26T13:06:38.568-05:002017-04-26T13:06:38.568-05:00Dear Betsy, thank you so much for sharing this sto...Dear Betsy, thank you so much for sharing this story of your own search for the meaning of your life. I appreciate your honesty and your hope that I, too, will find my way---a way that is not a plan I devise, but the flow of the river of life. Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-10154636457460499602017-04-25T19:07:00.952-05:002017-04-25T19:07:00.952-05:00Hi Dee, It's good to hear from you... Sorry ...Hi Dee, It's good to hear from you... Sorry about your struggling and your health problems... Life isn't easy for sure.... I struggled in my first marriage, but stepped out of my box and started my 'real' life (when I was 59 years old)... It was scary since I left family and went to a new area where I knew no one... BUT--I truly felt God calling me there. It didn't take long to realize that all of this was God leading me to George.. Thanks be to God for my 'new' life....<br /><br />BUT---like you, I still had my own demons inside of me, namely my desire to do things 'my' way paying attention to details and expecting too much of myself... I 'used' to be able to balance lots of balls and prided myself in getting things done ---LOTS of things.... As I get older, I cannot do what I used to do --but get frustrated when I cannot finish getting through my LONG LISTS....<br /><br />I am learning (as hopefully you will) that life changes.. WE change... We need to find new JOYS to fulfill us and bring us happiness... It's time to put away the OLD ---and find the NEW... <br /><br />Me???? I need to be happy with myself and relax more and just enjoy life. I need to realize that, as I 'age', I will have more aches and pains. I will not have the energy I used to have. I can't remember things like I used to... It's OKAY.... I'm me --and have a fantastic life with a wonderful man... Life truly is good even though I no longer can accomplish things like I used to... <br /><br />Hope some of this will help you... Good Luck and God Bless You.<br />Love,<br />Betsy<br />Betsy Banks Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-13806816999031698462017-04-25T17:02:17.013-05:002017-04-25T17:02:17.013-05:00Dear Kario, yes, I, too, think we are struggling w...Dear Kario, yes, I, too, think we are struggling with some of the same things. I think I've stopped listened to the inner voice within--my intuition--that served me so well for so many years--until I got entangled in details. Let's send each other love and light. Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-88446092177461248312017-04-25T16:26:13.885-05:002017-04-25T16:26:13.885-05:00Welcome back to writing, Dee. Thank you for your k...Welcome back to writing, Dee. Thank you for your kind words on my latest post. It seems we are both struggling with some of the same things, and it's nice to know I'm not alone. I will send you some love and light as you work through your challenges and try to remember how to find that flow that lifts you and carries you where you need to be. kariohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10150537989886423212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-11647703348251064632017-04-25T09:39:47.464-05:002017-04-25T09:39:47.464-05:00Dear Susan, a move is always filled with a plethor...Dear Susan, a move is always filled with a plethora of emotions and good-byes. I hope yours went smoothly and that you are enjoying the new community of which you are a part. It must be wonderful to be closer to your grandchildren. <br /><br />I know I need to let go. It's the learning how I'm struggling with. Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-63130464934525783112017-04-24T18:01:55.884-05:002017-04-24T18:01:55.884-05:00It is so delightful to see your name and read your...It is so delightful to see your name and read your words!! <br /><br />Our lives have also changed in a good way, but too much detail to write here. Just say that we have moved to be near our daughter and family, in a retirement community.<br /><br />Let things go, Dee. You cannot control anything. God does that.Susan Kanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09834094675218254410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-42180217572749623002017-04-24T16:12:59.442-05:002017-04-24T16:12:59.442-05:00Dear Arkansas Patti, like you, other bloggers have...Dear Arkansas Patti, like you, other bloggers have commented that writing a blog can be, perhaps, as satisfying as being published in book- or e-form. I know that's true. <br /><br />That is, my brain knows it. My heart isn't there yet. But maybe that's what's stirring in my depths--the realization that there's more than one way to be published. <br /><br />It's so good to hear from you and thanks for the comment about the cats and me. Noah, Laz, and Eliza Doolittle and I lived together in Stillwater, Minnesota. They crossed the rainbow bridge back in 2006, 2007, and 2009. Matthew, Maggie, and Ellie now bless my life and give it zest. Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-10396110128646183412017-04-24T15:15:01.127-05:002017-04-24T15:15:01.127-05:00Welcome back Dee. You have been missed. Oh how I w...Welcome back Dee. You have been missed. Oh how I wish I had some of your discipline and was goal oriented like you. I once thought I would become a published author but then I discovered blogging and it has satisfied all my drives. I get to publish (sort of) once a week and get instant feed back. It fits all my needs plus I am way too lazy to actually write a novel. <br />You are a published author all ready but I can see where you would want to have your facilitating story told in a memoir. You have had such an interesting life. That is one reason I blog. I get to tell the stories that few really know. <br />I was so sorry to hear about your health problems and hope you are fit once more. Love the shot of you surrounded by those beautiful cats. <br />Looking forward to your next entry. Arkansas Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156004753267665579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-84663301540221679542017-04-24T12:39:28.385-05:002017-04-24T12:39:28.385-05:00Dear Rita, this comment of yours means so much to ...Dear Rita, this comment of yours means so much to me because I do know that your life took a turn and that you needed time to adjust. The art that became part of that adjustment was a gift. I so hope that happens for me. Like you, I know there are soul lessons awaiting me. I hope I am open enough to accept and embrace them as you have. <br /><br />And yes the cats were so happy to have me home after the operation, hospital stay, and rehab. And slowly I'm re-entering life and recognizing that change is necessary. Thank you for your faith in me. Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-20488284419346049902017-04-24T11:58:56.974-05:002017-04-24T11:58:56.974-05:00You have been publishing your blog posts. It'...You have been publishing your blog posts. It's not a book you can hold in hand but it is still writing that you are sending out to the world. :)<br /><br />I like to plan and am a little OCD probably because those are the little bit of control I have in my life--LOL! Life can change on a dime, take the wind out of your sails, tear your heart out, knock you to your knees, or leave you flat on your back at any given moment. It's also filled with moments of wonder, love, kindness, sharing, and miracles. I think we have to always be ready to change course...either by choice or circumstance, life happens.<br /><br />I was used to having more control and being able to handle anything life threw at me all by myself. When my body took me off the path I had planned for myself...it took me a couple of years to finally let go of control and to learn to accept help. I do believe everything happens for a reason...even if we are no always privy to said reason--LOL! There seems to be soul lessons available through all of it--the tragedy, ecstasy, frustration, laughter, pain, fear, joy--all of it. I think it's not so much what happens to you in your life but how you live through it. <br /><br />Have missed you! I bet the kitties were so glad to see you back home! I have total faith that you will figure it out. There's an answer that is yours alone. :) Love and hugs from Fargo. Ritahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-63565838621511625762017-04-24T11:30:55.179-05:002017-04-24T11:30:55.179-05:00Dear Inger, I just loved seeing a comment from yo...Dear Inger, I just loved seeing a comment from you. I know from your blog and are e-mailing that you have, indeed, had to let go of a lot in life. As you say, I've "struggled" with this for a long time. Now I hope to let go of that struggle and simply "be." I think you have truly done that since Errol's death. Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-78834202566496303052017-04-24T11:29:25.105-05:002017-04-24T11:29:25.105-05:00Dear Sue, I love your phrase "cross the bridg...Dear Sue, I love your phrase "cross the bridge before you know there's a river"!!!!! That's so what I do. Let's go with the flow together! Instead of crossing the bridge, let's float down the river of life. Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-56529893794868922102017-04-24T11:28:17.986-05:002017-04-24T11:28:17.986-05:00Dear DJan, I was so happy to read your posting yes...Dear DJan, I was so happy to read your posting yesterday. And I got out my Classical Greek DVDs and I'm starting again--thanks to you. But I won't insist that I study every day, I'll really just try to let go and study when the mood comes upon me. That will really be something new for me! Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-38065742504071752372017-04-24T11:26:56.900-05:002017-04-24T11:26:56.900-05:00Dear Linda, and I so look forward to reading more ...Dear Linda, and I so look forward to reading more about what you're doing. Your posting was heart-rending.<br /><br />Letting go is hard. I've worked at it for years. But the latest physical development is really stopping me in my tracks so perhaps it will be what teaches me to go with the flow. Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-27296029649194031582017-04-24T11:25:14.617-05:002017-04-24T11:25:14.617-05:00Dear Rick, and the way you roll is the hope I have...Dear Rick, and the way you roll is the hope I have. I so want to stop being a taskmaster. I want to be gracious to myself. That's the hope. Now I need to think of life as a river, with me floating down in and having adventures I never dreamed or planned! Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-30683109319597124932017-04-24T11:23:38.187-05:002017-04-24T11:23:38.187-05:00Dear Heidrun, thank you for the reminder that I ha...Dear Heidrun, thank you for the reminder that I have published and that the blog is a way of publishing. I need to remember that and to open my heart and my dreams to possibilities. Thank you for your concern about my health in the last couple of years. I hope you are doing well. Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-18232925996552667642017-04-24T11:22:22.017-05:002017-04-24T11:22:22.017-05:00Dear Fran, I hope to publish the 25th anniversary ...Dear Fran, I hope to publish the 25th anniversary issue of "A Cat's Life" this year. I will, perhaps, put both of Dulcy's book into one volume. I need to talk with Elisa about that. <br /><br />Thank you so much always for your belief in me. Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-29184549945141172332017-04-24T11:20:51.147-05:002017-04-24T11:20:51.147-05:00Dear Cynthia, we do limit God--Oneness--when we pl...Dear Cynthia, we do limit God--Oneness--when we plan all the details of how a desire/dream will be fulfilled. I know that and yet I forget. I fall back into my old habits. I so hope I can learn to relax with life. Thank you for your comment and suggestions. Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-81916417523853302582017-04-24T11:19:28.366-05:002017-04-24T11:19:28.366-05:00Dear Arleen, so good to hear from you. I hope you ...Dear Arleen, so good to hear from you. I hope you know how much I've appreciated your support in the past two-three years. I hope that I will be able to continue blogging, but I know that I must go with the flow with that too. I do understand what you mean by stress we put on ourselves. And you are so right. Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.com